Page 54 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Blast it, I’d figured as much.” He plowed his fingers through his hair. “The both of ye would get along famously with my sister. She actually shed tears while reading a tale of some bloke who went mad longing for hisone true love,as she put it. The heroine had conveniently died, so the madman did not need to listen to her prattle on for eternity. I supposethatwas an advantage.”
“Oh, I think I’ve read that story. I simply adore it.” Nell shot him a little frown. “Of course, no one would confuse you with a true romantic.”
He shrugged. “Perhaps I should carry a book of poetry at all times.”
“An apt accessory, indeed,” Macie said, cocking a brow. “As I understand it, flowery poetry is a tool for accomplished rogues.”
“I am not anaccomplishedrogue,” he said with a grin that was as infuriating as it was appealing. “I consider myself an amateur.”
“Perhaps that is to all of our benefit,” Macie replied. “After all, I can well imagine you reading a sonnet with a look of utter torment on your face.”
“Speaking of torment, a bit of practice for the dances may be helpful,” Nell suggested, her tone cheeky.
Macie glanced about the room with its abundance of furniture and artwork. She shook her head. “This space is far from ideal.”
“It will work.” Finn said quickly moved the furniture off the carpet, rolled up the rug, and motioned to the space he’d cleared. “Yer ballroom awaits, my lady.”
Nell crossed the room to the baby grand piano. “We will begin with a waltz.”
For the briefest of moments, Finn looked as though he was heading for his own execution. But then, he took Macie by the hand. “Shall we dance?”
Chapter Sixteen
Macie had neverconsidered herself graceful. Heaven knew she could manage to stumble over the tiniest lump in a carpet, slip upon the slightest of rain puddles on the pavement, or tumble over her own skirts. That questionable talent was the reason she’d ended up in Finn’s strong hands in the first place. But somehow, it had never become a matter of concern.
Until now.
Familiar notes in three-four time filled their makeshift ballroom as Nell’s fingers moved skillfully over the keys, but Macie struggled to follow the precise rhythm. Somehow, following the lead of her partner had never before seemed so difficult. Finn’s every movement seemed mechanical. Awkward. His every step appeared to be an act of drudgery.
“I’m not quite sure how to put this,” Nell observed without missing a note. “The waltz is romantic. Perhaps even seductive. And what I’m seeing now is definitely... not.”
“Romantic, eh?” he repeated in a gruff voice. “Blasted nonsense, if ye ask me.”
“If I might be so bold, I’d suggest that you relax a bit,” Nell went on.
“What man could relax while waltzing with Calamity Macie?”
Forcing a little smile, Macie purposefully stepped on his foot. “At least now when you complain of smashed toes, you’ll be speaking the truth.”
“Oh, dear.” Closing the lid over the piano keys, Nell stood, leaning her bustle against the piano as she folded her arms at the waist. “This act will not fool anyone, much less a determined suitor.”
“We will figure this out,” Macie countered, despite the nagging realization that Nell might be right.
Finn released Macie from his easy hold. “I agree with ye. This is an impossible task.” A hint of a smile curled his mouth. “But in my life, I’ve heard that many times and proven the naysayers wrong.”
Nell looked as though she wanted to be cross with him, but that impulse was no match for the charm in his eyes. “I would suggest behaving as if the two of you want to be in the same room.”
“A monumental challenge if ever I’ve heard one.” A touch of humor flavored his tone.
Nell’s brow furrowed, as it tended to do when she mulled a problem. “Perhaps there’s no need to worry over the dances. I don’t imagine heiress hunters would be deterred by your nimble footsteps in the ballroom. But a little romance might send them running. Those fops do not want to tangle with a jealous man.”
Finn shrugged. “A little romance, eh?”
Nell offered a sage nod. “What better way to nudge a pesky suitor to set his sights on a dollar princess who gives a fig about a title?”
“My fists would make more of an impression,” he said, sounding as if he was not jesting.
“My, that would be a rather delicious scene, wouldn’t it?” Nell clearly enjoyed the dramatic notion.
